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Peltier devices
Peltier devices, also known as thermoelectric (TE) modules, are
small solid-state
devices that function as heat pumps. A "typical" unit is a few
millimeters thick y a
few millimeters to a few centimeters s!uare. t is a sandwich
formed y two ceramic
plates with an array of small #ismuth Telluride cues ("couples")
in etween. $hen a
%& current is applied heat is moved from one side of the
device to the other - where it
must e removed with a heatsink. The "cold" side is commonly used
to cool an
electronic device such as a microprocessor or a photodetector. f
the current is
reversed the device makes an e'cellent heater.
As with any device, TE modules work est when applied properly.
They are not
meant to serve as room air conditioners. They are est suited to
smaller coolinapplications, althouh they are used in applications
as lare as portale picnic-type
coolers. They can e stacked to achieve lower temperatures,
althouh reachin
cryoenic temperatures would re!uire reat care. They are not very
"efficient" and
can draw amps of power. This disadvantae is more than offset y
the advantaes of
no movin parts, no reon refrierant, no noise, no viration, very
small si*e, lon
life, capaility of precision temperature control, etc. The
reader is directed to the
followin e'cellent sources of information on
Peltier devices from the manufacturers themselves+
http://www.tellurex.com/12most.html
http://www.marlow.com/TechnicalInfo/frequently_asked_questions_faqs.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/faq.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/handbook.htmhttp://www.ferrotec-america.com/re!rame.htm
Misc Thermoelectric Device Info & Tips...
Peltier & Seebeck Effects...
The coolin property of these devices is due to the Peltier
Effect, while the electricalpower eneratin property is due to the
Seebeck Effect. A thermoelectric module can
e used as either a cooler or a power enerator, ut not with the
est efficiency. Peltier
Effect coolers are almost always constructed with #ismuth
Telluride (#iTe) and used
around room temperature and elow. eeeck Effect power enerators
are often
constructed of PTe or, i/e as well as #iTeand are used at much
hiher
temperatures.
Rate of Temperature Chane...
Peltier device coolin 0 heatin speed - they can chane
temperature e'tremely
!uickly, ut to avoid damae from thermal e'pansion control the
rate of chane to
aout 1 deree & per second.
http://www.tellurex.com/12most.htmlhttp://www.marlow.com/TechnicalInfo/frequently_asked_questions_faqs.htmhttp://www.marlow.com/TechnicalInfo/frequently_asked_questions_faqs.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/faq.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/handbook.htmhttp://www.ferrotec-america.com/3refframe.htmhttp://www.tellurex.com/12most.htmlhttp://www.marlow.com/TechnicalInfo/frequently_asked_questions_faqs.htmhttp://www.marlow.com/TechnicalInfo/frequently_asked_questions_faqs.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/faq.htmhttp://www.melcor.com/handbook.htmhttp://www.ferrotec-america.com/3refframe.htm
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!eat "#D Cool...
These thins can heat as well as cool2 3es - they make reat
heaters. 4ust reverse the
polarity of the power supply5 #ut, e sure not to e'ceed the
temperature ratin of the
module, usually 67& for standard models to 77& for hih
temperature models.
Po$er Suppl% Reuirements...
$hat are the power supply re!uirements2 A simple %& supply
is fine if the A& ripple
is not more than aout 178 or 198. %on:t e'ceed the specified
;ma' of
the module.
Temperature Control...
?@>
control, while other manufacturers don:t seem to oect to this.
;aryin the
power supply voltae works. Pulse width modulation can e used, ut
a fre!uencyaove 1 B
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position on the ohmmeter2 ?o - even thouh a TE module is
constructed of an array
of ? and P doped semiconductors there isn:t an actual diode
unction. A resistance test
can e made with anLCRmeter which measures resistance usin an
A& voltae.
Csin a
ne needs to ear in mind that
materials e'pand and contract with temperature chane and not to
mount the TE
module in such a way that it can:t move slihtly with temperature
chane - otherwise
it may crack under the stress.
"ore info on Thermal Interface "aterials.
!eatsink Reuired(...
inally, always rememer that Peltier devices don:t cool y makin
heat maically
disappear5 They move the heat from one side to the other K where
you must remove it
with a heatsink.
Misc Thermoelectric Device )inks...
The nternational Thermoelectric ociety, a nonprofit orani*ation
dedicated to the
advancement of the thermoelectric industry, science 0 technoloy.
http+@@www.its.or@
nformation, consultin and analytic services for the
thermoelectric and enery
conversion communities+
http+@@www.*ts.com@
&onsultin, research, testin, pulications+
&ardiff Thermoelectric /roup (CB)
?anoThermal Partnership (Europe)
http://www.peltier-info.com/tims.htmlhttp://www.its.org/http://www.zts.com/http://www.thermoelectrics.com/http://www.nanothermel.org/http://www.peltier-info.com/tims.htmlhttp://www.its.org/http://www.zts.com/http://www.thermoelectrics.com/http://www.nanothermel.org/
